Winter has arrived here in Western Oregon. Painfully short days, darkness starting so early and lasting so long. Cold rain. Ice. Damp chill.

What does it mean at our house?
* Going to the gym a lot to keep obesity at bay.
* A gorgeous Oregon-grown Noble fir tree with LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes, as my husband tells me often).

* Lots of cookie baking.

* Chili and curries and things in the crockpot.
* Planning our winter escape to Mexico.
* Some entertaining of friends and neighbors.
* Holiday parties.
* Eating cabbage and kale from the winter garden.
* A little volunteering at the warming centers that open for the unfortunate freezing unsheltered when temperatures drop below 30 overnight.
* Buying a couple kids’ coats at Old Navy and taking them to the family shelter.
* Overwhelming gratitude for what we have and deepening empathy for those who are suffering.

A cold dark time for sure, for me, missing my parents, thinking of holidays past and people who have passed. I’m doing my best to honor my mom’s memory with her cookie recipes. I’m doing my best to make my tiny sphere of influence a little bit brighter and kinder.